Daniel Defoe (about 1660～1731) was an important novelist in the English literature(文学). When he was young, he served as a soldier and had been to Spain, Italy, France and Germany. At the same time, he went in for politics. He cared much about the development of capitalism(资本主义). He had written a lot of articles against it and he was put into prison twice for that. It was not until that he was nearly sixty that he began to write the famous novel “Robinson Crusoe”, which was published in May, 1709. It spread so rapidly that the story was known to every household very soon.
“Robinson Crusoe” can be divided into three parts. The first part is about Crusoe’s three voyages, the second part about his hunting, hiding in caves farming and his hard struggles against nature on a small island, the third about the things which happened after his return from the island. The second part is the body of the novel, in which Robinson’s characters are clearly shown.
Defoe wrote his novel in a simple style and his language is easy to understand. His novel writing set a milestone of the modern English novel. In his later part of life, He was in poor health and lived very poorly. He died on April 24, 1731.Deniel Defoe was ______ and the writer of ______.
| A．an Englishman, “A Tale of Two Cities” |
| B．an American, “A Million Pound Note” |
| C．a French, “The Lost Necklace” |
| D．an English, “Robinson Crusoe” |
How old was he when he began to write his famous novel Robinson Crusoe?
| A．He was in his sixties. | B．He was in his fifties. |
| C．He was over 60. | D．He was sixty. |
Robinson Crusoe can be divided into ______ parts and the first is about _______.
| A．two, his lonely life | B．three, his characters |
| C．three, his journeys by sea | D．four, his fame |
“Every household” in this passage means ______.
| A．all members of a family |
| B．all people |
| C．every building |
| D．persons living in the same house |
What was Defoe’s contribution(贡献) to the English literature?
| A．He wrote a very interesting story. |
| B．He made people happy while reading his story. |
| C．He set a milestone of the modern English novel. |
| D．He was active in politics and was against capitalism. |
The sun is shining when I get on No. 151 bus. We passengers sit jammed together in heavy clothes. No one speaks. That’s one of the unwritten rules of Chicago commuting. Although we see the same faces every day, we prefer to hide behind our newspapers. The phenomenon is striking: people who sit so close together are using those thin sheets of newsprint to keep their distance.
As the bus approaches the Magnificent Mile, a voice suddenly rings out: “Attention! Attention!” Papers rattle (发出细小声). Necks crane (伸长). “This is your driver speaking.”
We look at the back of the driver’s head. His voice has authority.
“All of you put your papers down.”
The papers come down, an inch at a time. The driver waits. The papers are folded and placed on our laps.
“Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead.”
Amazingly, we all do it. Still, no one smiles.
I face an older woman, her head wrapped tightly in a red scarf. I see her nearly every day. Our eyes meet. We wait, unblinking, for the next order from the driver.
“Now, repeat after me…” It is a command, delivered in the tones of a drill sergeant (操练军士). “Good morning, neighbor!”
Our voices are weak and timid. For many of us, these are the first words we have spoken today. But we say them at the same time, like schoolchildren, to the strangers beside us.
We smile and can’t help it. We have said it; the barrier has been broken. Good morning, neighbor. It is not so hard after all. Some of us repeat it. Others shake hands. Many laugh.
The bus driver says nothing more. He doesn’t need to. Not a single newspaper goes back up. I hear laughter, a warm sound I have never heard before on bus No. 151. This day is starting off better than most.On hearing the sudden utterance of “Attention!”, the passengers ___________.
| A．stopped reading and put down their newspapers immediately |
| B．sat still without response |
| C．looked up from the newspapers to see who was speaking |
| D．were frightened |
The underlined word “commuting” in Paragraph 1 most probably means ___________.
| A．long-distance ride |
| B．daily traveling between home and work |
| C．communication technology |
| D．behavior patterns |
Which of the following is true according to the passage?
| A．The passengers on the crowded bus were so absorbed in reading their newspapers that no one spoke. |
| B．When the bus driver said nothing more, the passengers picked up and read their newspapers again. |
| C．The passengers didn’t follow the driver’s instruction at first. |
| D．The passengers were physically close together but mentally they kept each other at a terrible distance. |
What would be the best title for the text?
| A．The Warmth of Communication |
| B．The Exchange of Information |
| C．The Power of Observation |
| D．The Attitude to Loneliness |
The goal of earthquake prediction is to give early enough warning. The U.S. Geological Survey conducts and supports research on the likelihood of future earthquakes. Scientists estimate earthquake probabilities in two ways: by studying the history of large earthquakes in a special area and the rate at which strain（拉力）accumulates（积累）in the rock.
Scientists study the past frequency of large earthquakes in order to determine the future likelihood of similar large shocks. For example scientists researched the large earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay region during the 75 years between 1836 and 1911. For the next 68 years, no earthquakes of magnitude (震级) 6 or large occurred in the region. Beginning with a magnitude 6 shock in 1979, the earthquakes in the region increased dramatically; between 1979 and 1989, there were four magnitude 6 or greater earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. So scientists estimated that the probability of a magnitude 6.8 or larger earthquake occurring during the next 30 years in the region is about 67 percent.
Another way to predict earthquakes is to study how fast strain accumulates. When plate movements build the strain in rocks to a critical level, like pulling a rubber band too tight, the rocks will suddenly break and slip to a new position. Scientists measure how much strain accumulates along a fault (断层) each year, how much time has passed since the last earthquake, and how much strain was released in the last earthquake. This information is used to calculate the time required for the accumulating strain to build to the level that results in an earthquake. This simple model is so complicated that such detailed information about faults is rare. In the United States, only the San Andreas Fault System has adequate records for using this prediction method.
Scientific understanding of earthquakes is of vital importance to the Nation. As the population increases, expanding urban development and construction encroach (侵蚀) upon areas susceptible(易受影响的) to earthquakes. With a greater understanding of the causes and effects of earthquakes, we may be able to reduce damage and loss of life from this destruction.What does the passage mainly talk about?
| A．What an earthquake is like. |
| B．How to predict earthquakes. |
| C．Where earthquakes often happen. |
| D．When a fault is formed. |
That scientists study the history of large earthquakes in certain areas is to ultimately_________.
| A．do research on the past frequency of large earthquakes |
| B．estimate the magnitude of similar earthquakes |
| C．forecast the possibilities of similar earthquakes |
| D．judge the specific location of future earthquakes |
Which is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．There were four magnitude 6 earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay region between1979 and1989. |
| B．The accumulating strain of the fault to a certain level results in the earthquake. |
| C．About 68 years after 1911, no earthquakes occurred in the San Francisco Bay region. |
| D．The fast increasing population on the earth is the main cause of the earthquake. |
What is the critical factor of forming a fault?
| A．The material of rocks. |
| B．The existing time span of the rocks. |
| C．The plate movements around the rocks. |
| D．The amount of strain released in the last earthquake. |
According to the passage, we can know that the San Andreas Fault System____.
| A．has a greater understanding of the causes and effects of earthquakes |
| B．stores much more information about the history of large earthquakes |
| C．offers the potential for doing research on the faults where strain accumulates |
| D．illustrates specifically how rocks along a fault are formed |
Sharks have lived in the oceans for over 450 million years, long before dinosaurs appeared. There are now about 360 species of sharks, whose size, behavior, and other characteristics differ widely.
Every year, we catch and kill over 100 million sharks, mostly for food and for their fins. Dried shark fins are used to make shark fin soup, which sells for as much as $50 a bowl in fine Hong Kong restaurants. Other sharks are killed for sport and out of fear. Sharks are vulnerable(易受伤的) to overfishing because it takes most species 10 to 15 years to begin reproducing and they produce only a few offspring（后代）.
Influenced by movies and popular novels, most people see sharks as people-eating monsters. This is far from the truth. Every year, a few types of shark injure about 100 people worldwide and kill about 25. Most attacks are by great white sharks, which often feed on sea lions and other marine（海洋的） mammals. They sometimes mistake human swimmers for their normal prey, especially if they are wearing black wet suits.
If you are a typical ocean-goer, your chances of being killed by an unprovoked（非受挑衅而发生的）attack by a shark are about 1 in 100 million. You are more likely to be killed by a pig than a shark and thousands of times more likely to get killed when you drive a car.
Sharks help save human lives. In addition to providing people with food, they are helping us learn how to fight cancer, bacteria, and viruses. Sharks are very healthy and have aging processes similar to ours. Their highly effective immune system allows wounds to heal quickly without becoming infected, and their blood is being studied in connection with AIDS research.
Sharks are among the few animals in the world that almost never get cancer and eye cataracts（白内障）. Understanding why can help us improve human health. Chemicals taken from shark cartilage（软骨）have killed cancerous tumors in laboratory animals, research that someday could help prolong your life.
Sharks are needed in the world’s ocean ecosystems. Although they don’t need us, we need them. We are much more dangerous to sharks than they are to us. For every shark that bites a person, we kill one million sharks.Which of the following is NOT a reason why people kill sharks?
| A．People kill sharks for food. |
| B．People kill sharks for sport. |
| C．People kill sharks out of fear. |
| D．People kill sharks because they often attack swimmers. |
According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．There are many different species of sharks, but only a few of them are dangerous to humans. |
| B．Sharks never get ill. |
| C．Sharks are a valuable resource for human. |
| D．Sharks play an important role in the ocean ecosystem. |
It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
| A．movies have given people the wrong impression of sharks |
| B．most sharks are dangerous to humans |
| C．sharks will attack anyone who is wearing black |
| D．it is dangerous to swim in the ocean |
The underlined word “prolong” in the last but one paragraph means ______.
| A．save | B．protect | C．lengthen | D．improve |
The best title for the passage would be _______.
| A．Are Sharks Dangerous? | B．Sharks And Humans |
| C．Sharks: Humans’ Friends | D．Sharks Help Save Human Lives |
The French word renaissance means rebirth. It was first used in 1855 by the historian Jules Michelet in his History of France，then adopted by historians of culture，by art historians，and eventually by music historians，all of whom applied it to European culture during the 150 years spanning 1450－1600.The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe. Scholars and artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual values. Fulfillment in life—as opposed to concern about an afterlife—became a desirable goal，and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned(皱眉头) on. Artists and writers now turned to secular(不朽的)as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.
These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed，experienced，discussed，and circulated. They could see the architectural monuments，sculptures(雕塑)，plays，and poems that were being rediscovered，but they could not actually hear ancient music—although they could read the writings of classical philosophers，poets，essayists，and music theorists that were becoming available in translation. They learned about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modern music did not have the same effect. For example，the influential religious leader Bernardino Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time. He urged musicians to follow the example of the sculptors，painters，architects，and scholars who had rediscovered ancient art and literature.
The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general cultural movement and state of mind than a specific set of musical techniques. Furthermore，music changed so rapidly during this century and a half—though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.What is the passage mainly about?
| A．The musical compositions that best illustrate the developments during the European Renaissance. |
| B．The musical techniques that were in use during the European Renaissance. |
| C．The European Renaissance as a cultural development that included changes in musical style. |
| D．The ancient Greek and Roman musical practices used during the European Renaissance. |
The underlined word “now” in Paragraph 1 refers to ________.
| A．1855 |
| B．the period of the Renaissance |
| C．the time of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome |
| D．the time at which the author wrote the passage |
It can be inferred from the passage that thinkers of the Renaissance were seeking a rebirth of ________.
| A．spirituality in everyday life |
| B．communication among artists across Europe |
| C．a cultural emphasis on human values |
| D．religious themes in art that would accompany the traditional secular themes |
What can be inferred about the music of ancient Greece and Rome?
| A．Its effect on listeners was described in a number of classical texts. |
| B．It was played on instruments that are familiar to modern audiences. |
| C．It expressed more different ideals than classical sculpture，painting and poetry. |
| D．It had the same effect on Renaissance audiences as it had when originally performed. |
According to the passage，why was Bernardino Cirillo disappointed with the music of his time?
| A．It did not contain enough religious themes. |
| B．It had little emotional impact on audiences. |
| C．It was not complex enough to appeal to musicians. |
| D．It was too dependent on the art and literature of his time. |
TOKYO, Japan (AP) – Japan is very serious about robotics (机器人技术). If the droids are going to fit in, they probably need to learn the Japanese custom of serving tea. Fortunately, researchers at the University of Tokyo are exploring just that. In a show this week, a humanoid（有人特点的）with camera eyes made by Kawada Industries Inc. poured tea from a bottle into a cup. Then another robot on wheels delivered the cup of tea in an experimental room that has sensors embedded in the floor and sofa as well as cameras on the ceiling, to simulate（模仿）life with robot technology.
“A human being may be faster, but you’d have to say ‘Thank you,’” said University of Tokyo professor Tomomasa Sato. “That’s the best part about a robot. You don’t have to feel bad about asking it to do things.”
Sato believes Japan, a rapidly aging society where more than a fifth of the population is 65 or older, will lead the world in designing robots to care for the elderly, sick and bedridden（卧床不起的）.
Already, monitoring technologies, such as sensors that automatically turn on lights when people enter a room, are becoming widespread in Japan.
The walking, child–size Asimo from Honda Motor Co. greets people at showrooms. NEC Corp. has developed a smaller companion robot–on –wheels called Papero. A seal robot available since 2004 can entertain the elderly and others in need of fuzzy companionship.
Sato says his experimental room is raising awareness about privacy questions that may arise when electronic devices（设备）monitor a person’s movements down to the smallest detail.
On the bright side, the tea – pouring humanoid has been programmed to do the dishes.What is the best title of this passage?
| A．“Thank You” Will Never Be Needed in Japan |
| B．Monitoring Technologies Are Widespread in Japan |
| C．Robot Is Designed to Care for the Elderly. |
| D．Robot technologies are widespread in Japanese daily life. |
The underlined word “embedded” in the first paragraph probably means .
| A．fixed | B．established | C．settled | D．rooted |
According to Professor Sato, .
| A．the robot serves tea much faster than a human being |
| B．the robot does anything like human beings |
| C．tea – serving robot helps to form laziness of the aging society |
| D．tea – serving robot doesn’t need any reward for the service |
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
| A．A robot can imitate people to complete complicated tasks. |
| B．A robot has been programmed to clean the dishes. |
| C．All the problems in the aging society can be solved by robots. |
| D．The number of aging people is increasing rapidly in Japan. |
We can infer from the passage that .
| A．people are afraid of being monitored by robots. |
| B．the technology of robots has been highlighted in Japan. |
| C．robots can completely take the place of human beings. |
| D．people’s privacy should be strictly protected |
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